Engine-starting system



W. A. CHRYST.

ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION men SEPT. 5, 1916.

1,386,316. Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET W. A. CHRYST.

ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM. APPUCATION man SEPT. 5, 1916.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. CHRYST, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DAYTON ENGINEERING LABORATORIES COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ENGINE-STARTING SYSTEM.

"Starting Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to an improvement in starting systems for engines, and more particularly to systems of this type, wherein the starting device is adapted to be coupled to the engine for starting purposes, and the engine, when once started, is adapted to be coupled to the starting dBVlCG to actuate the same to store up power for future starting operations and for other purposes.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a supplemental system for engines of-the non-self starting type, including a power actuated rime mover, normally disconnectible from t e engine, but having connecting devices automatically operable for effecting the coupling up of the electric machine and engine together, in combination with controlling mechanism, whereby the various functions of the system, and certain functions of the engine may be automatically controlled by an initial operation of the electrical system.

That is, in one form of embodiment of the present invention, this starting system may include an electric machine, capable of operation either as a motor or as a generator, in combination with connecting devices, which are normally in uncoupling position, but which may be automatically and positively shifted into one position to couple up the engine and the electric machine for starting purposes, and then when the engine has been started, these connecting devices may be automatically shifted to a different position to couple up the electric machine and the engine, whereby said electric machine may drive the engine as a generator. These connecting devices are so constructed and arranged that when the electric machine is being operated as a motor for starting purposes, it will crank the engine at one ratio of speed, while when the engine isconnected g1 to the electric machine through other combinations of the connecting devices, the engine and the electric machine will operate at a-difl'erent speed ratio.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

App lication flled September 5, 1916. Serial No. 118,458.

In the embodiment of the present invention, wherein these connecting devices include gearing, which is shiftable to enmeshed and unmeshed positions, the automatic shifting of the connecting devices will preferably accompany an initial motor movement of the electric machine, so as to facilitate the enmeshing operation of the gearing. This same shifting of the connecting devices, which may be said to be controlled by the initial motor movement of the electric machine, may control the closing of certain circuit connections, whereby the electric machine will be brought into operation as a motor for actual starting purposes.

This latter operation may also be so controlled that it will not take place until the connecting devices have been shifted to a determined coupling position. That is, the operation of the electric machine as a motor for starting purposes, will not take place until the proper enmeshment of the gearing has taken place.

This same automatic shifting of the connecting devices ma also effect the discontinuation of the initial motor movement of the machine, substantially concomitantly with the proper unmeshment of the mechanical connections and the establishment of the electrical connections for causing the machine to operate as a motor for starting purposes.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference. being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly set forth:

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view of an automobile chassis,

- wherein the different units of the present invention and the electrical connections are dialgrammatically shown.

' ig. 1 is a. wiring diagram of the electrical circuits included in the present invention..

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section of the starting device, showing the relative positions of the shiftable connections when the electric machine is being driven by the en- Fig. 3 is a View similar to the Fig. '2, showing the 'shiftable connections in position for the cranking operation.

Referring to the drawings and more parchine which has the dual characteristics of a motor and of a generator. This machine is unted on the vehicle frame or some part of the engine, in such a manner that the driving end thereof is in position to be,

connected to some moving part of the engine, such as for instance, the crank shaft thereof, or some shaft having driving connection with said crank shaft.

In the form of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the electric machine is illustrated as being connected by said engine.

means of a belt or chain or other flexible connection 25, with the crank shaft 26 of The electric machine 23 includes an armature 23 a shunt field 23 and a high torque field 23. Armature 23 is mounted upon a shaft 28, which projects outwardly from the casing 29 of the electric machine, and carries a pinion 30, which is made fast to said shaft in any suitable manner. The shaft 28 is provided with depressions or notches 32, which are shallow at the end nearest said pinion,

but are gradually increased in depth.

A ring gear 33 is mounted upon'the armature shaft 28 and includes a clutch structure comprising a shell 34', wherein are carried suitable pawls 35, which as will be described hereinafter, engage with the notches 32 under certain conditions to effect a direct driving relation between the ring gear and the armature shaft.

This ring gear also has a pair of arms 36 secured thereto, ,which are connected with a grooved collar 37 internally threaded to engage with the threadedshaft 38, (see Figs. 2 and ,T'he shaft 38, which may be referred to as a screw threaded shaft, is connected with a pulley or sprocket member 39, over which a belt connection 25 passes. Any suitable supporting member 40 may be combined with the structure heretofore described, for maintaining the alinement and also acting as a bearing for the threaded shaft 38 and the pulley or transmission member 39.

Adjacent to the armature shaft 28, and in parallel relation thereto, a stub shaft 41 is secured to the casing of the electric machine, or to any other suitable support, and is adapted to carry a large pinion 43, and a small pinion 44, which are preferably mounted upon a sleeve 45, which in turn is slidably mounted on the shaft 41. This sleeve also is provided with the grooved collar 46, to receive the pins 47 carried by the pitman 48, one end of which is connected to the sleeve 45, by the pins 47, while the other end of said itman is connected to the ring gear assemb y 33, by the pins 49, which onga e with the grooved collar 37.

rom the above description, it will be seen that the operation'of the device will be as follows: I

Supposing that the engine is at rest and it is desired to start the same. The operator simply-has a single operation to perform, in order, first, to 'couple up the electric machine and the engine-and, concomitantly with this coupling up operation, to impart an initial movement tothe electric machine and'to the intermediate connecting devices so as to facilitate the coupling up of the electric machine and the engine, and then to effect the actual starting operation of the engine, and finally to change the ratio of the driving connections between the electric machine and the engine whereby the said engine will operate'the electric machine as a enerator at the proper speed.

y referring to the diagram in Fig. 1 it will be noted that when the operator by pressing button 64 closes the contacts 50, the following circuit will be closed:

From the. positive side of the battery 51, across the co ntacts 50 of the cut-out relay through the relay series coil 62 to the ground 52, thence to the corresponding ground 53, through armature 23 and shunt field 23 of the electrical machine 23 and back to the op osite side of the battery via the wire 54.

s soon as the above mentioned circuit is closed, the electric machine will begin to operate as a motor, but due to the relatively high resistance of the circuit connections re erred to above, the speed and torque effect of this motor movement will be relatively small.

Now, concomitantly with this initial movement ofthe electric machine as a mo- 'tor, the armature shaft will of course start to revolve, and this in turn will revolve the pmions 30 and the ring gear 33, through the pawl clutch heretofore described, inasmuch as the pawls in their normal position are seated in the deepest part of the slots or notches 32. i

As a consequence of the rotation of the ring gear 33, the collar 37 will rotate, and inasmuch as this collar is internally threaded. the ring gear and the wawl members of the clutch, together with the collar 37, will move inthe direction of the arrow show in Fig. 2.

concomitantly with this .movement of the ring gear 33, the pitman 48 will be actuated to effect a shifting of the pinions 43 and 44 in an opposite direction to that of the ring Ill gear 33, these pinions 43 and 44 moving in the direction of the arrow' BB shown in brought into enmeshment with the pinion and, inasmuch as the pinion 30 is already rotating, the enmeshment of these two parts will readily ensue, since any tendency conflict of the end faces of the teeth of these two members will be reduced to a minimum by the relative rotation of the member 30. Of course, a rotar movement will then be imparted to the pinions 43 and 44, so that the pinion 44 will readily enmesh with the ring gear 33, as soon as these parts have been moved to enmeshed position.

During the movement of the ring ear 33, and its associated parts, as describe above, it will be notedthat the pawl members are riding on the faces ofthe notches 32,

and inasmuch as these faces are inclined, it will be seen that as soon as the pinion 44 and the gear 33 tend to enter-enmeshment, and are slightly enmeshed, these pawls will readily disengage from their clutching effect with the shaft 28, so that the ring gear 33 will rotate relative to the pinion 30 and the Y armature shaft 28. This" disengaging of the pawls 35 at the time pinion 44 and gear 33 are slightly enmeshed is possible since said pawls will then be located in the shallower portions of the notches 32 and can more rea y g ve way to the driving of gear 33 by 1\pinion 44.

ow, as soonas both sets of enmeshing gearing are brought into fully enmeshed position, it is desirable to transmit a high torque and relatively high speed effect of the armature through this set of reduction gearing to the threaded shaft 38 Inasmuch as the collar37 has moved into position to engage with the abutment 51 carried by the shaft 38, a positive drive will be effected from the armature shaft directly to. the transmission member 39 and thence to the crankshaft of the engine through the connection 25.

This high torque effect is obtained by closing an electric circuit through the separate field 23 in the motor-generator, by means of the pitman 48 and the contacts 57. When the pitman 48 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the contacts are closedcompleting the circuit through the high torque windings 23 of the motor-generator as follows: from the battery 51, through the lead 58,

thence across the contacts 57, through the lead 56, windings 23, armature '23, and back to the battery via the wire 54.

This high torque movement, will continue as longas the main motor circuit is closed or until such time as the engine becomes selfactuating. 'Upon the engine starting, however, it will beseen that as soon as the enfor gine reaches a normal running speed, the shaft 38 will be rotated by the engme faster than the pinion 33 is rotated by means of the motor drive, due to the. difference in 5 the gear 33 and its associated parts in the same direction. 1

This same operation of the collar 37 will tend to also shift the pitman 48 in such a direction as to throw theinions 43 and 44 into their normal disengaged position (see Fig. 2).

During the movement of the ring gear 33 to its normal position, the pawls 35 will again engage in the deeper parts of the notches 32 and thereby tend to turn the armature shaft 38. Now, as soon as the collar 37 reaches the position shown in Fig. 2, further longitudinal movement will be arrested. .A direct drive from the crank shaft of the engine will then be transmitted to the armature shaft, through the transmission connection 25, pulley 39, screw threaded sha ft 37, the ring gear 33 and its clutch connection with the armature shaft 28.

In the meantime, the motor circuit will be disconnected and the generator connections established between the battery and the electric machine, so that as'the electric machlne is brought into operation as a generator, it may readily charge the batteries at the proper rate.

The reverse current relay operates in the well known manner to maintain the charging circuit closed unless there is a tendency for the battery to discharge through the generator. The usual voltage or holding coil 63 cooperates with the series coil 62 to maintain armature 60 in attracted position toward core 61. Contacts 50 are therefore maintained closed during these conditions.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that by the simple closing of an electric circuit (as by closing the relay contacts'50), the electric machine is first caused to couple itself up .to the engine through gearing connections having the proper ratio of speed for engine starting, and then the electric machine is caused to operate with the proper torque to. effect engine starting. The engine, having become self-operative, causes first, the changing from these gearing'connections used during engine starting .to other gearing connections ,having the which includes automatic means for changratios, including means normally connecting ing the speed ratio of these connections depending on whether the electric machine or the engine becomes the driving member. This feature of the invention is advantageous especially where it is desired to provide an internal-combustion engine with a starting and battery charging system, the engine not having been originallydesigned and provided with gearing to receive the starting and generating unit.

\Vhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described, constitutes a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted all coming within the scope. of the claims which follow.

lVhat I claim isas follows:

1. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; oi an electric machine operable as a generator or as a motor ,5

a storage battery; provisions for connecting the machine and engine at diiierent speed ratios; means for causing the machine to operate with an initial low torque movement; an automatic means operating during said low torque movement positively to connect the machine and engine for starting purposesand then to efiect the high torque operation of the machine as a motor, said automatic means operating positively to connect the engine and machine for generating purposes {)vhen the engine becomes the driving mem- 2. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as a motor; a storage battery; provisions for connecting the machineand engine at different speed the machine and engine for generating purposes, and including shiftable gearing for connectmg the machine and engine for starting purposes; means for causing the machine to operate with an initial low torque movement; and automatic means operating during said low torque movement posit vely to shift said gearing and to disconnect said generating connections, and to efiect the high torque operation of the machine as a motor when said gear shifting is substantially completed, said automatic means operating positively to reestablish said generating connections when the engine becomes the driving member.

3. In an engine starting system, thecombination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as amotor;

a storage battery; provisions for connecting poses, and including shiftable gearing for connecting the machine and engine for star ing purposes; means for causing the machineto operate with an initial low torque movement; means for producing the high torque operation of the machine as a motor, including a high torque winding and a switch for controlling the same; and automatic means operating during said low torque movement positively to. shift said gearing and to disconnect said generating connections and to close said switch when the gear shifting is substantially completed, said automatic means operating positively to reestablish said generating connections when the engine becomes the driving member.

I. In an engine starting system the combination with an engine; of an electric ma chine operable as a generator or as a motor;

a storage battery; provisions for connecting and engine for starting purposes and then to close said switch, said automatic means operating positively to connect the engine and machine for generating purposes when the engine becomes the driving member.

5. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as-a generator or as a motor; .a 'stora e battery; connecting devices between t e engine and machine certain of which are normally engaged to connect the machine and engine at one speed ratio for generating purposes, certain of said devices including normally unmeshed pairs of gears; means for connecting the battery and machine so asto impart a low torque. initial movement thereto; means automatically operable during said initial movement of said machine for effecting the discontinuance of the generating connection and for efi'ecting the enmeshment of first one pair of gears and then another whereby the machine and engine will be-connected.

at another speed ratio for starting purposes; and switch means automatically operable concomitantly with completion of said gear enmeshment for effecting the high torque motor operation of said machine.

.6. In an engine'starting system, the combination with an engine of an electric machine capable of acting as'a starting device;

means for imparting motion to the electric machine; change speed gearing between the electric machine and the engine capable of rearrangement to effect a plurality of gearing combinations; and means acting, automatically upon the operation of the electric machine as a motor positively to effect a gearing connection of a certain combination between the motor and engine, said automatic means being capable when the engine becomes self-actuating of rearranging the change-speed gearing whereby a different gearing engine drives the machine as a generator.

7. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric maing atomatically upon the initial movement of the machine as a motor for positively rearranging the change-speed gearing devices whereby the'engine will be connected with.

the machine by a different combination of gearing for engine starting purpose, said means operating when the engine becomes self-actuating positively to return the change-speed gearing devices to the normal arran ement for generating purposes.

8. n an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine having an armature and operable as a generator or as a motor, said machine having high torque windings capable when energized of producing a strong turning effect on the armature; a storage battery; change-speed gearing devices normally arranged in a certain combination to effect a connection between the engine and machine for operating the machine as a generator;

means for connecting the storage battery with the machine to effect the initial movement of the machine; and means acting au-.

tomatically upon said initial movement for positively rearrangingthe gearing between the engine and machine and atthe same time to bring the high torque windingsof the machine into operation, said automatic means capable, when the engine becomes self-actuating, of positively returning the change-speed gearing to normal arrangement and of rendering the high torque windings inoperative. v

9. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as a'motor; a storage battery; devices normally ar combination is effected when the mediate screw and ranged to connect the machine with a part of the engine at one speed ratio for generating purposes; means forv connecting the battery and'machine to operate the same as a motor; and means operating automatically during the motor operation of said machine for positively rearranging said devices in order to connect the machine with said engine part at a different speed ratio for engine starting purposes. v

- 10. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as a motor;

a storage battery; means for connecting the machine with an engine part at one speed ratio for generating purposes, or withsaid engine part at a diiierent speed ratio for engine starting purposes, said means normally providing the generating connection; means for connecting the battery and machine to operate the same as a motor; and means operating automatically during the motor operation of said machine for positively efl'ecting the discontinuance of the generator connection and the establishment of the motor connection.

' '11. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as a motor; astorage battery; means for con-- necting said battery w th saidmachine to operate the same as a motor; devices for connecting the machine with'the engine at one speed ratio for generatingpurposes or at a different speed ratio for engine starting purposes, said devices including speed reduction gearing, engine part and and external screw threads intermediate said stops, an internally threaded member cooperating with said shaft and normally engaging one of said stops and arranged to effect said generating connection, but capable'of longitudinal movement to engage said' other stop when said machine operates as a motor, and concomitantly therewith to efiect the enmeshment of the speed reduction gearing and the discontinuance of the generating connection.

12. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a generator or as a motor; a storage battery; a gear shifting device operating automatically depending on whether the motor or the engine becomes the driving element, said device including, a member having spaced stops and an interfrom longitudinal movement but rotatably connected to the engine, and a gear shifting lever cooperating with thenut; means for connecting said nut with the motor shaft including a-clutch; speed reduction gearing including a pinion connected to the motor a shaft connected with an providedwith spaced stops 7 a nut mountedon said screw, said screw member being restrained shaft, a gear connected with said nut, and

an axially movable gear and pinion cooper-' ating with said gear shifting lever, and connected together and adapted to mesh, respectively, with the motor shaft pinion and the gear connected to the nutpand means for electrically connecting the .motor and battery, said clutch being yieldable when the nut is being driven by the motor through the reduction gearing.

13. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a motor or as a generator; a storage battery; a power transmitting device connected to the engine and including a member automatically shiftable depending on whether the machine or engine con- 'stitutes the driving member; a normally operative clutch connecting said machine with said power transmitting device andcontrolled by said shiftable member; normally inoperative reduction gearing for connecting said machine with said power transmitting deyice and controlled 'by said shiftable member; means for connecting the battery and machine, whereby, when the machine operates as a motor, the shiftable member will be caused to render the reduction gearing operative and the clutch inoperative and motion to be transmitted from the motor to the engine, and whereby, when the engine becomes operative, the shiftable member will be causedto render the reduction gearing inoperative and the clutch operative and the machine to be driven by the engine. 7

14. In an'engine starting sytem, the combination with an engine; of an' electric machineoperable as'a motor or as a generator; a storage battery; provisions connected with the machine and making a single connection I with the engine and normally arranged to connect the machine and engine atone speed ratio for generating purposes, but capable of rearrangement to connect the machine and engine at a different speed ratio for starting purposes, and including automatic means forv eifecting the starting connection and disestablishing the generating connection when the machine is operated as a motor, and for disestablishing the starting connection and restorin the generating connection when-the englne becomes self-operative; and means for connecting the battery:

with the machine to operate the same as a motor. x

15. In an engine starting system, the combination with an engine; of an electric machine operable as a motor or as a generator; a storage battery; provisions connected with the machine and making a single connection with the engine and including a normally operative clutch for transmitting power from the engine to the machine to operate the same as a generator, andiincluding normally disengaged reduction gearing for transmitting power from the machine to the engine for starting purposes, and automatic means for positively rendering the clutch inoperative and for positively engaging said gearing when the machineoperates as a motor to start the engine, said automatic means operating when the engine becomes selfoperating positively to disengage said gearing and to render the clutch operative; and means for connecting the battery and motor to operate the same as a motor. I

a In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in,the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.WIIQLIAM A. CHRYST.

Witnesses:

J. W. 'MoDoNALn, (J. E. JoHNsoN. 

